Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Fire Damage Restoration

At Clean Rite Cleaning & Restoration, we receive questions from homeowners and business owners about fire damage restoration all the time. If you’ve recently experienced a fire (or you just like being prepared), having the answers to your questions can help reduce stress during a difficult time. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If there’s a question we haven’t addressed, call us, and we’d be happy to talk it over with you!

What should I do first after a fire?

First and foremost, safety is the top priority - evacuate the building and call the fire department. If anyone has sustained injuries, seek medical attention. Once everyone is safe and you have called the fire department, reach out to a trusted fire damage restoration company. Most restoration teams, including ours, offer a 24/7 emergency response so that you don’t have to wait any longer than necessary for the urgent restoration help you need. Your fire damage team will assess the damage and then secure the exposed portions of the property as necessary (through board up and tarp) to prevent trespassing, theft, or escalating damage.

Is it safe to stay in a fire-damaged home?

This important question comes up a lot and, in all honesty… it depends. If your property has minor fire damage, you may be able to safely stay in your home during restoration. However, for more severe or extensive fire damage, temporary relocation may be advised or even required. Smoke carries acidic particles that can irritate your lungs, eyes, and skin. Even small fires can leave behind toxic residues from burned plastics, wiring, or building materials. During our initial assessment of the damage, our team will take note of the air quality and structural damage, if there is any. After this assessment, we will share our findings with you and let you know if we advise relocation while restoration is underway. If it is not safe to stay in the home, many insurance policies have coverage for living accommodations while the cleanup and repairs are being done. TIP: If you want to be proactive, check your policy and make sure that you have the coverage that would best suit your needs if you ever experience a house fire.

When is fire damage most common in Rhode Island?

While fire damage can happen year-round, our restoration team in Rhode Island sees more fire damage crises during the winter months than the summer months. Heating equipment like fireplaces and space heaters can malfunction or be misused, leading to house fires. Furnaces, unused during the warmer months, may even “puff back” soot into the house when fired up for the first time. Winter holiday activities and traditions can be another common cause of winter fire damage. We see fires begin after events like a Thanksgiving turkey cooking mishap, more frequent use of holiday decorations involving candles, and wiring/electrical overload issues from holiday decorations.

How does smoke and soot cleanup actually work?

Smoke and soot cleanup is more complicated than most people expect because soot behaves differently depending on what is burned. Some residues are dry and powdery, while others are greasy and smear when you try to wipe them.

A lot of homeowners are tempted to begin cleaning on their own, but it’s surprisingly easy to make stains worse, especially on painted walls or ceilings. It’s very possible to unknowingly set a soot stain, making it a permanent mark. A professional restoration team like ours can restore more than you might think is possible. Our trained fire damage restoration crews select a cleaning technique based on the type of soot in your home. Some of our strategies include HEPA vacuums, chemical sponges, and odor-neutralizing treatments. Many times, we will use a multi-pronged approach to tackle the various ways that soot causes damage.

How long does the fire damage restoration process take?

The timeline for the fire damage restoration process depends on the size of the fire and the amount of structural damage. A small smoke-only incident might take a few days, while a full fire damage reconstruction project could take several weeks to complete. Our team will communicate clearly with you about the anticipated timeline so that you can plan accordingly. It’s important to start remediation quickly, as soot poses a health hazard, and can actually cause damage over time (it’s typically very acidic leading to etching, corrosion and other issues).

Additionally, fires can also have additional damage from water used to extinguish the flames, as well as potential for microbial growth as a result of the water damage. These additional challenges can change the scope of work needed and the time frame to perform the remediation.

Why should I choose Clean Rite Cleaning & Restoration as my Rhode Island fire damage restoration company?

If you’re in need of fire damage restoration in Rhode Island, partnering with our reliable, experienced team at Clean Rite Cleaning & Restoration can make all the difference. We understand how overwhelming a house fire can be. Our caring and helpful technicians make the experience a little bit less stressful.

You deserve to know what’s going on with your property. Our knowledgeable technicians take the time to communicate what is happening and answer your questions. We work efficiently and carefully so that we can restore your property as soon as possible, allowing your life to return to normal.

At Clean Rite Restoration & Cleaning, we answer emergency fire damage calls around the clock. If you need us, call, and we will be there.